Evaluation of circulating transcript analysis (NETest) in small intestinal neuroendocrine neoplasms after surgical resection

PURPOSE: Surgical resection is the only effective curative strategy for small intestinal neuroendocrine neoplasms (SINENs). Nevertheless, the evaluation of residual disease and prediction of disease recurrence/progression remains a problematic issue. METHODS: We evaluated 13 SINENs that underwent surgical resection of the primary tumour and/or mesenteric mass. Patients were divided in three groups: (a) Group 1: SINENs that underwent resection with curative intent, (b) Group 2: SINENs treated with resection in the setting of metastatic disease, which remained stable and (c) Group 3: SINENs treated with resection in the setting of metastatic disease, with evidence of any progression at follow-up. NETest and chromogranin A were measured pre-operatively and post-operatively during a 22-month median follow-up period and compared with imaging studies. NETest score <20% was determined as normal, 20-40% low, 41-79% intermediate and ≥80% high score. RESULTS: NETest score was raised in all (100%) SINENs pre-operatively. Surgery with curative intent resulted in NETest score reduction from 78.25 ± 15.32 to 25.25 ± 1.75 (p < 0.05). Low NETest scores post-operatively were evident in all cases without clinical evidence of residual disease (Group 1). However, the low disease activity score suggested the presence of microscopic residual disease. In three cases (75%) with stable disease (Group 2) the NETest score was low consistent with indolent disease. In the progressive disease group (Group 3), a high NETest score was present in three cases (60%) and an intermediate NETest score in the remainder (40%). CONCLUSIONS: Blood NETest scores accurately identified SINENs and were significantly decreased by curative surgery. Monitoring NETest post-operatively may facilitate management by identifying the presence of residual/progressive disease

Differences in the composition of the bacterial element of the urinary tract microbiome in patients undergoing dialysis and patients after kidney transplantation

IntroductionThe development of molecular biology methods and their application in microbial research allowed the detection of many new pathogens that cause urinary tract infections (UTIs). Despite the advances of using new research techniques, the etiopathogenesis of UTIs, especially in patients undergoing dialysis and patients after kidney transplantation, is still not fully understood.MethodsThis study aimed to characterize and compare the composition of the bacterial element of the urinary tract microbiome between the groups of patients undergoing dialysis (n = 50) and patients after kidney transplantation (n = 50), with positive or negative urine culture, compared to healthy individuals (n = 50).ResultsAsymptomatic bacteriuria was observed in 30% of the urine cultures of patients undergoing dialysis and patients after kidney transplantation, with Escherichia coli as the most dominant microorganism (73%) detected with the use of classical microbiology techniques. However, differences in the bacterial composition of the urine samples between the evaluated patient groups were demonstrated using the amplicon sequencing. Finegoldia, Leptotrichia, and Corynebacterium were found to be discriminative bacteria genera in patients after dialysis and kidney transplantation compared to the control group. In addition, in all of urine samples, including those without bacteriuria in classical urine culture, many types of bacteria have been identified using 16S rRNA sequencing.DiscussionThe revealed microbial characteristics may form the basis in searching for new diagnostic markers in treatment of patients undergoing dialysis and patients after kidney transplantation

Total hemoglobin mass, aerobic capacity, and hbb gene in polish road cyclists

The relationship between genes, amount of hemoglobin, and physical performance are still not clearly defined. The aim of this study was to examine the association between-551C/T and intron 2, +16 C/G polymorphisms in the beta hemoglobin (HBB) gene and total hemoglobin mass (tHbmass) and aerobic capacity in endurance athletes. Total hemoglobin mass and aerobic capacity indices, i. e.,VO2max, oxygen uptake at anaerobic threshold (VO2AT), maximal power output (Pmax), and power at anaerobic threshold (PAT) were determined in 89 young road cyclists, female (n = 39) and male (n = 50), who were genotyped for 2 polymorphisms in the HBB gene. The relative values of aerobic capacity indices differed significantly among intron 2, +16 C/G polymorphisms of the HBB gene only in female cyclists; athletes with GG genotype had significantly higher values of V O2max (p = 0.003), VO2AT (p = 0.007), PAT (p = 0.015), and Pmax (p = 0.004) than C carriers. No relationships were found between the C-carrier model (CC + CG vs. GG in the case of intron 2, +16 C/G and CC + CT vs. TT for -551 C/T polymorphisms of the HBB gene) and relative values of tHbmass. Our results demonstrated that the HBB gene could be related to aerobic capacity, but it seems that it does not result from an increase in the amount of hemoglobin in the blood

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Innovation and entrepreueurship centers for the development of biotechnology in the region of Lodz

Centers of innovation and entrepreneurship create a specific institutional infrastructure allowing the development of innovative businesses. The article examines science and technology parks as well as technology transfer centers, and then presents those that are present in the region of Lodz, discussing the potential influence that they may have on the development of the biotechnology sector in the region

Model studies of flow intensity through Chwalimierz reservoir overflow structure

Przeprowadzone badania modelowe miały na celu ocenę prawidłowości przyjętych rozwiązań projektowych urządzeń zrzutowych zbiornika retencyjnego„ Chwalimierz” na Średzkiej Wodzie, opracowanych przez Pracownię Projektową „Water Service” Sp. z o.o. we Wrocławiu. Do podstawowych zadań projektowanego zbiornika należy ochrona od powodzi doliny rzeki i zagwarantowanie wody do nawodnień upraw rolnych. Uzyskana dzięki budowie zbiornika retencja powodziowa umożliwi wydatne zmniejszenie fal powodziowych poniżej zbiornika, a tym samym zostanie zwiększona ochrona przeciwpowodziowa miejscowości Środa Śląska i terenów przyległych. Badania obejmowały ocenę hydrauliczną działania urządzeń zrzutowych, a w szczególności weryfikację krzywych natężenia przepływu urządzeń przelewowych i upustowych oraz wydatku sztolni. Budowla zrzutowa składa się z komory wlotowej z zabudowanymi dwoma rurociągami o średnicy 1000 mm wyposażonymi w zasuwy oraz części przelewowej o świetle 3x1,70 m umieszczonej na koronie pionowego szybu. Woda z urządzeń zrzutowych odprowadzana jest do dolnego stanowiska kanałem zrzutowym (sztolnią) o długości 30 m, zakończonym niecką wypadową. Badania przeprowadzono na modelu w skali 1:10, wykonanym w laboratorium wodnym Instytutu Inżynierii Środowiska Uniwersytetu Przyrodniczego we Wrocławiu. W artykule przedstawiona jest metodyka przeprowadzonych badań oraz analiza porównawcza wyników pomiarów i obliczeń wzorami empirycznymi. Badania modelowe potwierdziły poprawność przyjętych rozwiązań projektowych. Różnice pomiędzy wynikami obliczeń i wynikami uzyskanymi z pomiarów pozwolą na skorygowanie wielkości przepływu przez urządzenia zrzutowe oraz wniesienie poprawek do instrukcji gospodarowania wodą na zbiorniku Chwalimierz.The verification of the project of designed spillway of Chwalimierz reservoir was the main purpose of conducted research. The Chwalimierz reservoir was designed by Water Service Ltd. in order to protect the valley from flood as well to ensures, water for rural cultivation irrigation. This reservoir is going to be built on Sredzka Woda, and will decrase flood wave in order to protect the city Sroda Slaska. This research was conducted on Water Laboratory at Environmental Engineering Department of Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Science. The research was executed using 1:10 scale. The investigation included the hydraulic analyses of spillway especially the verification of the flow rate curve. The water delivery is assembled by inlet chamber with two pipelines (diameter 1000mm) with valves and spillway (3*1,70m) which is located on overfall crest of vertical well. The water from service spillway is carried of to low station channel. The length of it is about 30 m and it is ended with trough. In this paper Authors presents methodology of model research and comparison of theoretical calculation with model research results. The research has confirmed the correctness of assumed design. The small differences between model research and theoretical calculations allow to admit designed flow discharge and to enclose corrections to the water management instruction